Mounting means and slideable electrical contact for linear potentiometer

ABSTRACT

A slider is mounted in a slot and moveable lengthwise between a resistor and collector strip. The slider includes an electrical contact carrying blade extending between the resistor and collector strips and includes means to trap an electrical contact means to the blade. The housing for the potentiometer includes two cooperating members, the members being secured together by potentiometer mounting means engaging the two members at opposed ends.

May 8, 1973 United States Patent 11 1 Hauenstine et al.

ELECTRICAL CONTACT FOR LINEAR POTENTIOMETER Mathisonm...

Eberwein We n a B 80 67 99 Mn 2 1 41 O7 21 D5 33 [75] Inventors: Edgar F. Hauenstine; George 0.

Puemer both of Frankfort Primary ExaminerRobert K. Schaefer P. R- Mallory & Co., Inc., Assistant Examiner--Gerald P. Tolin anapolis, lnd.

Indi- [73] Assignee:

AttorneyRichard H, Childress, Robert F. Meyer and Henry W. Cummings- 221 Filed: May 3, 1971 ABSTRACT Appl. No.: 139,509

A slider is mounted in a slot and moveable lengthwise between a resistor and collector strip. The slider includes an electrical contact carrying blade extending between the resistor and collector strips and includes means to trap an electrical contact means to the blade. The housing for the potentiometer includes two [56] References C'ted cooperating members, the members being secured UNITED STATES PATENTS together by potentiometer mounting means engaging the two members at opposed ends. 6/1971 3,582,860 Milovac............... .....338/202 3,493,914 2/1970 Campbell 7 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMY 81913 3.732521 so r 94 W g v INVENTORS 42 j K 12 GEORGE o. PUERNER I00 /4 96 EDGAR F. HAUENSTINE ATTOR BYW MOUNTING MEANS AND SLIDEABLE ELECTRICAL CONTACT FOR LINEAR POTENTIOMETER This invention relates to potentiometers and more particularly to linear actuated potentiometers.

Potentiometers are being increasingly used where mechanical movements need to be transformed into electrical signals and, where occasion demands it because of styling, linear actuated potentiometers are preferred. The linear potentiometer also has a smooth rate of change.

The present invention contemplates the provision of a linear actuated potentiometer whose sliding member may be smoothly actuated. In addition, the potentiometer of the present invention may be assembled quickly and inexpensively.

One object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a potentiometer for transforming linear mechanical movements into corresponding electrical signals.

Another object of the invention is to provide a linear actuated potentiometer having a resistance strip and a collector strip in spaced, parallel relationship and a slider providing a continuous electrical connection between and along the length of the strips.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a linear actuated potentiometer including a slide mounted in a slot and moveable between spaced, parallel resistor and collector strips facing each other.

Another object of the invention is to provide a linear actuated potentiometer wherein the slider includes an electrical contact carrying blade extending between resistor and collector strips with the blade including means trapping electrical contact means to the blade.

Yet another object of the invention is the provision of a linear actuated potentiometer which may be quickly, easily and inexpensively assembled.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a linear actuated potentiometer having a housing constructed of two cooperating members, with the members being held together by mounting means disposed at opposite ends of the members and securing the members together.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an exploded view of-the potentiometer;

FIG. 2 is'a side view of the unit with portions thereof being removed;

FIGS. 3 and 4 are end views of the unit, FIG. 4 being another embodiment; and v FIG. Sis a view taken along the line 5-5 of FIG. 2.

Generally speaking, the objects of the invention are accomplished by providing a linear actuated potentiometer which includes an elongated housing, a resistance strip disposed inside the housing against one of its sidewalls with electrical terminals engaging ends of the strip and extending outside the housing, a collector strip disposed inside the housing against its other sidewall and provided with an electrical terminal extending outside the housing, a central longitudinal slot in a top wall of the housing, and a slide mounted in the slot and moveable lengthwise between the resistor and collector strips, the slide including an electrical contact carrying blade extending between the resistor and collector strips, the contact carrying blade including means trapping the electrical contact means to the blade. The housing of the potentiometer is provided by two cooperating members, the members being secured together through mounting means for the potentiometer disposed at opposed ends of the housing.

Referring now to the drawings there is shown a potentiometer l0 employing the concepts of the invention. The housing of the potentiometer is comprised of two cooperating members 12 and 14. The housing members are secured together through mounting means 16. Mounting means 16 includes a pair of brackets 18 and 20 each having ears 18', 18", and 20 20" extending from the sides of a base member 18a and 20a, and wings 18b and 20b extending from an end of the base members. As is more clearly shown in FIG. 2, the wings 18b and 20b are bent to form a portion offset from the plane of the base members 18a and 20a. The wings provide a mounting surface for the potentiometer. When the cooperating members 12 and 14 are assembled, the brackets engage the vertically aligned slots 22 and 24 of members 12 and slots 26 and 28 of member 14, with the ears of the brackets engaging apertures 30 and 32 provided in the housing members in line with the slots. After the cooperating members have been assembled together with the mounting brackets, the ears are staked to the housing members so as to provide a secure connection between the ears and the housing members. Also when assembled, tabs 34 and 36 will mate with notches 38 and 39 of the respective housing members 12 and 14.

As shown, there is a collector strip 40 disposed along and against a sidewall 12a of the housing member 12 and resistor strip 42 disposed along and against the sidewall 14a of housing member 14. Collector strip 40 includes an electrical terminal 41 extending therefrom and outside the potentiometer housing. Electrical terminals 44 and 46 are clipped onto resistor strip 42, with the terminals also extending outside the housing. When the potentiometer is assembled, the collector strip 40 will be locked against the sidewall 12a through tab 48 engaging an aperture (not shown) disposed on the underside of rib 50, by the electrical terminal 41 being trapped in slot 52 and held there by tab 54 of member 14, and by tab 56 engaging slot 58 and being held there by tab 60 of member 14. Resistor strip 42 is locked against sidewall 14a through tenninal 44 engaging slot 62 and being held therein through tab 64 of member 12, and terminal 46 engaging slot 66 and being held 7 therein through tab 68 of member 12.

Slider 70 carries an electrical contact means between the collector strip 40 and resistor strip 42 thus providing an electrical bridge between the two. Slider 70 includes a contact carrying blade 72 and guide means 74 carried by a post 76. Guide means 74 includes substantially flat collars 78 and 80 in spaced parallel relation. With particular reference to FIG. 5, when the housing members 12 and 14 are assembled there is provided a channel 84 in the top wall of the housing of the potentiometer, the channel being provided by the outer rims 82 and 83 of the housing member 12 and 14 respectively. Also, when the members 12 and 14 are assembled there is provided an elongated slot 86 formed by a notch 88 in member 12 cooperating with the edge 90 of the top wall of member 14. As shown, slider 70 slides along the length of the potentiometer within the slot 86, collar 80 slides along channel 84, while collar 78 slides in groove 92 provided'by cooperating rib members 50 and 94 and the top walls 12b and 14b of the housing members 12 and 14. Frictional drag is provided by the thickness T of the top walls being slightly greater than the distance between the collars. This aids in reducing the possibility of linear movement during vibration of the unit. Contact carrying blade 72 extends between the resistor and collector strips 40 and 42. As shown, one end of the blade slides in a groove 96 provided by the cooperation of shelf 100 in member 12, and wall 98 of member 14.

Contact carrying blade 72 includes a means 102 for trapping electrical contact means 104 to the contact carrying blade so that it can be carried by the contact carrying blade between the collector and resistor strips. Electrical contact means 104 includes a base member 106 and a plurality of fingers 108 extending therefrom. A suitable material for the electrical contact means would be an electrically conductive material such as copper, for example. Fingers 108 are in sliding engagement with the collector and resistor strips 40 and 42 when the electrical contact means is being carried by the contact carrying blade 72. Trapping means 102 includes a recess 110 provided in the contact carrying blade, a notch 112 provided in one edge of the recess, and a spring means 114 at the other edge of the recess. Spring means 114 includes a finger 116 molded integrally with the contact carrying blade 72. The electrical contact means is trapped onto the contact carrying blade 72 by inserting an edge 106' into the notch 112 and then snapping the-electrical contact means into place such that finger 116 presses against the other edge 106" of the base member 106. The electrical contact means forms a flexible bridge between the collector and resistor strips.

Movement of the slider 70 through manual actuation of the post 76 slides the contact carrying blade 72 between the collector strip 40 and the resistance strip 42 such that the fingers 108 slide against the strips so that a variable resistance is obtained.

FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention relating particularly to the brackets 118. Brackets 118 are similar to brackets 18 and and include a base member 118a; however, there are no cars extending from the base members. This particular bracket is useful for those applications when it is desirable to mount the potentiometer on a side. The brackets are inserted through slots similar to slots 22, 24, 26 and 28 of FIG. 1 with the base member 118a extending through apertures 120 and 122 which are similar to apertures 30 and 32 of FIG. 3. The base member 118a is then staked to housing member l4.

c. a collector strip disposed insidethe housing:

against its other side wall and provided with an electrical terminal extending out of said housing, (1. a central longitudinal slot in a top wall of said housin ,and e. a sh e mounted in said slot and movable lengthwise between said resistor and collector strips, said slide including an electrical contact carrying blade extending between said resistor and collector strips, said electrical contact carrying blade including a recess in said contact carrying blade receiving electrical contact means pressing against said strips, a notch in a side of said recess receiving an edge of said electrical contact means, and a spring means biased against an opposite edge of said electrical contact means to retain said electrical contact means in said notch.

2. A linear actuated potentiometer according to claim 1 wherein said spring means includes a finger integral with said blade and forming a side opposite said notch.

3. A linear actuated potentiometer according to claim 1 wherein said top wall includes a channel, said slot is centrally disposed in said channel, and said slide includes a collar sliding in said channel.

4. A linear potentiometer according to claim 1 wherein said housing is comprised of two cooperating members and mounting means engaging said cooperating members at opposed ends thereof and including means securing said members together.

5. A linear actuated potentiometer according to claim 4 wherein said mounting means includes an elongated base member having ears extending from opposed sides thereof, said ears engaging corresponding apertures of said cooperating members, and a wing extending from one end of said base member outside said housing and having a width greater than said base member providing a mounting surface.

6. A linear actuated potentiometer according to claim 5 wherein said wing is slightly offset from the plane of said base member.

7. A linear potentiometer according to claim 5 wherein said mounting means includes a base member and a wing extending from one end thereof outside said housing, the opposed end of said base member extending through apertures in said housing. 

1. A linear actuated potentiometer comprising: a. an elongated housing, b. a resistance strip disposed inside said housing against one of its side walls and electrical terminals engaging ends of said resistance strips and extending out of said housing, c. a collector strip disposed inside the housing against its other side wall and provided with an electrical terminal extending out of said housing, d. a central longitudinal slot in a top wall of said housing, and e. a slide mounted in said slot and movable lengthwise between said resistor and collector strips, said slide including an electrical contact carrying blade extending between said resistor and collector strips, said electrical contact carrying blade including a recess in said contact carrying blade receiving electrical contact means pressing against said strips, a notch in a side of said recess receiving an edge of said electrical contact means, and a spring means biased against an opposite edge of said electrical contact means to retain said electrical contact means in said notch.
 2. A linear actuated potentiometer according to claim 1 wherein said spring means includes a finger integral with said blade and forming a side opposite said notch.
 3. A linear actuated potentiometer according to claim 1 wherein said top wall includes a Channel, said slot is centrally disposed in said channel, and said slide includes a collar sliding in said channel.
 4. A linear potentiometer according to claim 1 wherein said housing is comprised of two cooperating members and mounting means engaging said cooperating members at opposed ends thereof and including means securing said members together.
 5. A linear actuated potentiometer according to claim 4 wherein said mounting means includes an elongated base member having ears extending from opposed sides thereof, said ears engaging corresponding apertures of said cooperating members, and a wing extending from one end of said base member outside said housing and having a width greater than said base member providing a mounting surface.
 6. A linear actuated potentiometer according to claim 5 wherein said wing is slightly offset from the plane of said base member.
 7. A linear potentiometer according to claim 5 wherein said mounting means includes a base member and a wing extending from one end thereof outside said housing, the opposed end of said base member extending through apertures in said housing. 